Lying, cheating, and stealing are all examples of behaviors that school-age children may "try on" as they learn how to negotiate the expectations and rules placed on them by family, friends, school, and society. Parents should deal with these behaviors privately (so that the child's friends don't tease them). Parents should show forgiveness, and punish in a way that is related to the behavior.

An ability to pay attention is important for success both at school and at home. A 6-year-old should be able to focus on a task for at least 15 minutes. By age 9, a child should be able to focus attention for about an hour.

It is important for the child to learn how to deal with failure or frustration without losing self-esteem.

SAFETY

Safety is important for school-age children.

• School-age children are highly active. They need physical activity and peer approval, and want to try more daring and adventurous behaviors.
• Children should be taught to play sports in appropriate, safe, supervised areas, with proper equipment and rules. Bicycles, skateboards, in-line skates, and other types of recreational sports equipment should fit the child. They should be used only while following traffic and pedestrian rules, and while using safety equipment such as knee, elbow, wrist pads/braces, and helmets. Sports equipment should not be used at night or in extreme weather conditions.
• Swimming and water safety lessons may help prevent drowning.
• Safety instruction regarding matches, lighters, barbecues, stoves, and open fires can prevent major burns.
• Wearing seat belts is the most important way to prevent major injury or death from a motor vehicle accident.

PARENTING TIPS

• If your child's physical development appears to be outside the norm, talk to your health care provider.
• If language skills appear to be lagging, request a speech and language evaluation.
• Keep close communication with teachers, other school employees, and parents of your child's friends so you are aware of possible problems.
• Encourage children to express themselves openly and talk about concerns without fear of punishment.
• While encouraging children to participate in a variety of social and physical experiences, be careful not to over-schedule free time. Free play or simple, quiet time is important so the child does not always feel pushed to perform.
• Children today are exposed, through the media and their peers, to many issues dealing with violence, sexuality, and substance abuse. Discuss these issues openly with your children to share concerns or correct misconceptions. You may need to set limits to ensure children will be exposed to certain issues only when they are ready.
• Encourage children to participate in constructive activities such as sports, clubs, arts, music, and scouts. Staying inactive at this age increases the risk of lifetime obesity. However, it is important not to over-schedule your child. Try to find a balance between family time, school work, free play, and structured activities.
• School-age children should participate in family chores such as setting the table and cleaning up.
• Limit screen time (television and other media) to 2 hours a day.

Images

School age child development

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Review Date: 11/02/2010
Reviewed By: Jennifer K. Mannheim, ARNP, Medical Staff, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Seattle Children’s Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)